TankBud

Cracens betta

Betta cracens

Also known as Slender fighter, Blue spotted betta

FreshwaterFish

Cracens betta (Betta cracens)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Osphronemidae
Origin
Jambi lowlands, Sumatra, Indonesia

Overview

The Cracens betta is a slim, pike-shaped betta for a covered species tank. Keepers with a little experience will do best with it.

Did you know

The Cracens betta's species name is Latin for slender and graceful. Among the mouthbrooding fighters, it has one of the leanest, most pike-like profiles in the group.

Caring for the Cracens betta

Keep Cracens bettas as a single pair or a small group in a covered species tank. Give them at least 20 gal (75 L) with plenty of structure. Break up the tank with wood, roots and dried leaves, so each fish can hold its own space. Keep the lid tight and gap-free, as these bettas jump readily.

Hold soft, acidic water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. Keep the tank shaded, with quiet flow. Dried leaves and botanicals keep the water dark and the fish settled. Feed meaty live and frozen foods, such as insect larvae, small crustaceans and chopped prawn.

The Cracens betta patrols the middle of the tank and is mostly peaceful, but it is a capable hunter. Its tank mates should be calm and too large to swallow. Small shrimp and nano fish are not safe with it.

It is a paternal mouthbrooder, and the male incubates the eggs in his throat for around two weeks. Breeding is hard and best attempted with an established pair in stable, soft, acidic water.

Good to know

Betta cracens is in the family Osphronemidae and was described by Tan and Ng in 2005. It belongs to the pugnax group, and it is also sold as the slender fighter or blue spotted betta.

In the wild

Betta cracens is found in lowland blackwater and peat swamp streams of Jambi province in Sumatra, Indonesia. The water there is soft, tannin-stained and acidic.

Common questions

What size tank does a Cracens betta need?

A Cracens betta needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Cracens betta need?

A Cracens betta is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a Cracens betta eat?

A Cracens betta eats meaty live and frozen foods, such as insect larvae, small crustaceans and chopped prawn.

How big does a Cracens betta get?

An adult Cracens betta reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does a Cracens betta breed?

The Cracens betta is a paternal mouthbrooder. The male incubates the eggs in his throat for around two weeks. Breeding is hard and goes best with an established pair.

Related species